The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-05
The LATTER DELEGATION CAP.
IURES GOLDEN OPINIONS
For Its Well Maintained Organiza-
ton and Vigorous and Eff
fectiVe Onslaught.
TIE TWO EXCHANGES TO BE
HEARD TODAY.
Messrs. e. b SiahlmaR and j. w
Thomas Lead the Attack In
Skillfui Manner.

The first days session of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission was held
in the United States Circuit Court
room yesterday, beginning at 10
o'clock in the morning. As an indi-
cation OF the Importance attached to
the sittings by railroad and BUSH ess
men, it is only necessary to state
that the room was crowded. Rep
resentativee were present from
Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana,
Alabama and Arkansas, while memo
rails were presented from still other
sections. This mighty array of evil
dence against the fourth section, or
long and short haul clause, of the in
terstate commerce bill, was due in a
large measure to the efforts of Msj. E.
B. Stahlman, third vice president of
the Louisville and Nashville, and
President ]. w. Thomas, of the Nash.
Vile, Chattanooga and st. Louis rail-
ways.
The business of the commission was
dull and uninterestinR to the curiosity
seekers, but of momentous Importance
to those directly concerned. 1t was
late In the afternoon before the pro-
CeediDgs warmed up, stimulated by
ringing speech from Col. Logan Il.
Roots, of Little Rock. So well were
they organized for an attack on the
disturbing element of the measure,
that President Thomas pronounced it
the ablest onslaught yet made.
Judge Cooley, in declaring the COM
mission ready for business, made a
few remarks relating to the visit AMI
it's importance. He said: "The rail-
roads have made application for an
Investigation, and the commission is
here for that purpose. Memphis has
been selected as central point at
which to sit, and we are here to gather
facts and figures that may call for
suspension OF the long and short haul
clause. We expect these facts to be
brought forward. The public
has as much interest in the
matter as the railroads. We are
also ready for evidence from municipal
bodies, and are equally ready to re-
ceive evidence from other bodies in re-
buttal. What we want is facts, and
are therefore ready to get them from
individuals az we'll as organized bodies.
In order 10 expedite the business, we
will first hear evidence in support,
then in opposition. II will conduce
to expedite if names of witnesses
would be handed TO us in advance.
The first shot at the clause was a
memorial from Baton Rouge. After
this had been slowed away with the
printed evidence, Mr.. j. W. Thomas,
president Of the Nashville, Chstta-
nooga and st. Louis railway, intro
duced
Mr.. GEORGE R. KNOX,
of Nashville, general freight agent Of
the road. He only testified about
rates, how they were agreed upon and
affected competitive points. The COM
petition comes from river and sea
points. On Western grain the rates
are controlled by Charleston, Savannah
and other sea ports. A gentleman at
Nashville largely interested in the
business is even mskiBg preparations
to build a large through boat between
that city and Cincinnati. Where rates
are fixed by the regular committee
circumstances sometimes operate
to change them temporarily.
Tennessee Alabama, Kentucky or II.
linois where the clause should not be
suspended. We always let shippers ce-
lect route where we have arrange
ments for through rates. The reason
for sharper competition between
steamship or water lines than on the
part of railways is because the latter
conduct their business more systemat-
icslly. Railways have agreements,
and generally live up to them. Steam
ships are backed by large numbers of
small sailing vessels, with which pos
tive and Trustworthy agreements are
impossible. There is sharp COMPETE
ton between the Nashville, Chatta-
noopa and st. Louis and Louisville
and Nashville roads at tie latter point,
Independent Of water competition.
This is also the case at various other
points"
CAPTAIN T. @. RYAKN,
captain of steamer running between
Nashville, Evansville and Cairo, was
next called and examined with refer
ence to the extent and nature OF
river snd railway competition. He
testified that rates was the principle
which governed steamboat business.
Where no competition existed they
were higher. He had no agreement
at present with any line, either rail.
way or water. Since the present law
went into effect, they had made q
broad ten cent rate between Nashville
and Evansville. The excess, where
such was possible, owing 10 no compe-
tition, amounted to something like five
cents. The tonnage of his vessel was
$50 tons, and cost $4,000. 1t made Q
round trip every week, which caused
an expense of 500, or something like
$40 per day.
JOHN ]. M'cANN,
a merchant miller OF Nashville, was
next placed on the witness stand. DE
gave the capacity Of his mills, Alled
for the disposiug Of the products, and
how his business would be affected II
the long and short haul clause Of the
interstate commerce bill was en-
iorCtd.
INV. BUTToRF,
a stove manufacturer of Nashville, was
introduced to give information about
the importation of raw materials, and
how railroad rates affected the price